My impression of the way it works is that ICANN sends the same periodic notices about participation and comment opportunities to the designated ALS representative that it sends to everyone in the world who subscribes to the ICANN Announce list. What happens when a notice is received by the ALS is completely up to the ALS. The response typically is one or more of: (1) redistribute announcement to members; (2) post announcement to web; (3) do nothing with announcement; (4) engage in policy debate and provide feedback to ICANN. As I understand the relationship, based on the typical RALO MOU, the ALS has a non-enforceable obligation to distribute information from ICANN. The ALS has no obligation to respond to ICANN, consider the issues presented or engage in any policy discussion or debate. If the ALS chooses to respond, ICANN has a non-enforceable obligation to receive the response. It's very light-weight. My first impression of the ALSs at work is that most ALSs will receive and redistribute information but not engage in anything substantive. -- Bret